FAQS

YES! The purpose of preventative maintenance is to keep your system up and running all season long with no surprise breakdowns, while operating at top efficiency. You rarely see your heating system face to face, so it’s easy to forget about it and neglect it. Imagine doing the same with your car. If you never have the oil changed or refuse to take your car in for any kind of tune-up until the check-engine light comes on, you can’t expect it to last more than a couple of years.

• Lower energy bills: You might assume that since the equipment is heating or cooling your home without any apparent problem that everything is fine. However, have you taken a look at your energy bills lately? A neglected system slowly loses its ability to keep your home comfortable at the same level of efficiency it once did. Just as a car tune-up delivers better gas mileage, your heating system consumes less fuel after receiving professional maintenance.
• Fewer repairs: Do you hear a strange sound or notice an odd odor coming from your furnace? Calling for a tune-up right away could help catch problems before they become disastrous. For example, a fraying belt could result in strange operating noises. If a technician replaces it in time, you can avoid the expensive repair that results from a snapped belt whipping around inside. By preventing future repairs, annual maintenance pays for itself
• Lower chance of a catastrophic breakdown: Everyone wants an incident-free cooling and heating season. After all, it’s incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable when equipment breaks down on a sweltering summer afternoon or frigid winter night, right when you need your system most. The odds of this happening when you schedule inspections every year are greatly diminished.
• Longer equipment life: Your equipment functions best when they’re regularly serviced and cleaned. One malfunctioning part can cause a domino effect that causes the entire system to break down. Regular maintenance prevents this from happening and adds years to your equipment’s lifespan.
• Safer equipment operation: A failing  system does more than cost a lot of money to repair; it also can endanger your family. For instance, if the furnace develops a crack in the heat exchanger, carbon monoxide gas can escape and poison the air you breathe. 

Your furnace is older than 15 years

Most home furnaces last between 15 and 20 years. As heating equipment gets older, it tends to heat your home less efficiently. If your furnace is nearing this age, you may want to consider replacement. If you’re not sure how old your furnace is, you can sometimes find this information in the serial number or labels on your equipment.

Your gas bills are increasing

As furnaces age, they often lose their efficiently. Consequently, a loss in efficiency means your heating bills may go up. In this case, the best way to reduce your energy bills is with a high-efficiency furnace. Remeber, the extra money you’re spending every month on a less-efficient furnace could be going toward the cost of your new, more efficient system!

You’ve needed a furnace repair in the last two years.

Furnaces are most likely to break down in the last two years of their life. If your furnace has needed frequent repairs or has had multiple parts replaced in the last 2 years, you should meet with one of our expert energy consultants to discuss your options. As the frequency of your repairs increases, it may be more cost effective to put that money toward a new furnace.

You’re not comfortable

If you have trouble getting your house to the right temperature, it may be an issue with your furnace’s inability to properly distribute heat. A common sign of this issue is the temperature on your thermostat not matching the ‘feel’ temperature of your home. You may also notice that some rooms in your home are much colder than others.

Your burner flame is yellow instead of orange

A flame that is yellow or flickering could be a cause for concern. This often means that there is an issue with the air or fuel supply into your furnace, which could lead to an emission of carbon monoxide into your home.

Your furnace is making strange noises

Strange or unusual noises coming from your furnace are an indication that something is wrong with your equipment. You may notice sounds like banging, popping, rattling, or squealing.

Your family has been experiencing headaches or other flu-like symptoms

If your family has been experiencing frequent headaches, a burning sensation in the eyes or ears, nausea, disorientation, or flu-like symptoms, this could be a serious warning sign. These symptoms may be an indication that your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide. If you notice these symptoms or suspect your furnace is emitting carbon monoxide, call a service technician immediately.

We use only our own trained technicians. We don’t hire subcontractors. Our heating and cooling technicians are highly trained in the industry. To use subcontractors would be like taking a step down. Your comfort and our reputation are too important to put in anyone else’s hands

If you’re like many people, the frustration of an equipment breakdown can make it tempting to solve the problem with a quick fix that doesn’t cost you a lot of money. That way you can get on with your busy life in relative comfort. BUT, while a quick fix may be the least expensive solution in the short run, it may not give you the most value in the long run.

It’s a fact of life, older systems are more likely to break down. That means a greater chance of emergency service calls and repairs—and paying for them. Worse, a breakdown could mean extensive damage to your home (no heat on a cold winter day can allow your pipes to freeze).

There’s also an ongoing cost factor. Repairing an old system can only restore it to something less than its original level of efficiency. After you’ve recovered from the repair bill and the frustration of a system breakdown, you’ll still be battling high energy bills. What’s more, even a system that doesn’t break down loses efficiency as it ages. A 15-year-old heating system doesn’t operate anywhere near the efficiency it had when it was new!

Plus, when compared with modern, technologically advanced equipment, 15-year-old heating and cooling systems are considered inefficient by today’s standards. The average homeowner can save up to 40% on heating and cooling costs with new high-efficiency equipment.

Here are some rules of thumb to help you decide whether to replace or repair.

Replace your heating system if:

• it is more than 10 years old and only in average condition.
• it does not keep you as comfortable as you would like.
• it breaks down frequently.
• it is burning too much fuel.
• you will be living in your home for at least five more years.

Repair your heating system if:

• it is less than 10 years old and in good condition.
• your heating and cooling costs have been acceptable.
• you’re pleased with your level of comfort.
• its performance is reliable.
• you will be moving within the next five years.
• it is still under warranty.